Mario Bakuna, a leading figure in the UK's Brazilian jazz scene, pays tribute to João Gilberto with reinterpretations of his work and original compositions.
Mario Bakuna is playing The Queen's Theatre on Thursday 12 November, a tribute to João Gilberto, the Brazilian musician who helped launch Bossa Nova in the late fifties. Bakuna will be on his own for the night, performing on acoustic guitar and vocals.
The set is built around Gilberto's work, with Bakuna playing reinterpretations of the songs alongside his own original compositions. He blends traditional samba and plucked chord rhythms with the breezy sophistication Bossa Nova is known for, and he also brings in Samba Jazz, a genre that emerged in 1950s Rio de Janeiro through artists like Luiz Eça, Tamba Trio and Edson Machado. So it's not just a look back at Gilberto's songs; it's a wider dive into the Brazilian jazz sound that grew around them.
Bakuna himself is a Brazilian composer, arranger, vocalist and guitarist based in London, with more than 20 years of professional experience. He's become a leading figure in the UK's Brazilian jazz scene, and his concert tours for the albums Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia and Brazilian Landscapes have taken him to 20 European countries, as well as Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, playing to sold-out crowds. This night brings that international touring experience back to a London stage.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in London and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
Tickets are £22, and the concert is on Thursday 12 November at The Queen's Theatre.
